Aranesp(R) (Darbepoetin Alfa) Approved for Use in All European Paediatric Patients with Chronic Renal Failure Anaemia



    European Commission Expands Aranesp Indication to Include All Paediatric Patients

    Amgen (Europe) GmbH today announced that the European Commission
    has approved Aranesp(R) (darbepoetin alfa) for the treatment of
    anaemia associated with chronic renal failure (CRF), also known as
    chronic kidney disease (CKD), in all European paediatric patients on
    dialysis or not on dialysis. For patients with CRF, Aranesp was
    previously indicated for the treatment of adults and only children
    greater than or equal to 11 years of age.

    "Consistent with Amgen's ongoing commitment to improving the lives
    of patients with chronic renal failure and anaemia, we are delighted
    that the European Commission has approved expanding Aranesp's
    indication to now include adult and all paediatric patients," said
    Willard Dere, M.D., senior vice president and international chief
    medical officer, Amgen. "Based on new data that Amgen submitted, the
    expanded indication is a positive demonstration of Aranesp's
    longstanding favorable safety and efficacy profile in CRF patients."

    Aranesp prescribing guidance is given separately for adult and
    paediatric patients in the updated approved Summary of Product
    Characteristics (SmPC). Treatment for paediatric patients younger than
    one year of age has not been studied. Since its introduction in 2001,
    Aranesp has been used in over 2.7 million patients across both its
    nephrology and oncology indications.(1)

    About CKD Anaemia

    According to recent research, 10 percent of Europeans suffer from
    CKD,(2) with many more at an elevated risk for kidney disease. CKD is
    a progressive and irreversible condition characterised by kidney
    damage and impaired kidney function. One of the most common symptoms
    of CKD is anaemia, which is often under-recognised and
    under-treated.(3) Anaemia occurs when failing kidneys no longer
    produce enough erythropoietin, resulting in reduced red blood cell
    production and haemoglobin levels. Anaemia can have a major impact on
    a patient's health and quality of life.(4) Symptoms include fatigue,
    weakness, shortness of breath, difficulty concentrating or confusion,
    dizziness or fainting, pale skin, rapid heartbeat and feeling
    unusually cold.

    About Aranesp

    Aranesp was granted marketing authorization by the European
    Commission in 2001 for the treatment of anaemia associated with
    chronic renal failure (CRF), in adults and paediatric subjects 11
    years of age or older. In 2002, the European Commission approved
    Aranesp for the treatment of anaemia in adult cancer patients
    receiving chemotherapy with solid tumours. This patient population was
    subsequently expanded in 2003 to include treatment of symptomatic
    anaemia in adult cancer patients with non-myeloid malignancies
    receiving chemotherapy. Approval was granted in 2004 for extended
    dosing intervals of once-every-three-weeks in the treatment of anaemia
    in adult cancer patients with non-myeloid malignancies who are
    receiving chemotherapy and up to once-per-month Aranesp administration
    in the treatment of anaemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients
    not on dialysis. In 2006, the Aranesp label was updated to allow CKD
    patients on dialysis to switch from rHuEPO one to three times a week
    to Aranesp every two weeks. In 2007, the Aranesp label was updated to
    allow for treatment of anaemia associated with CRF, in all European
    paediatric patients on dialysis or not on dialysis.

    Aranesp was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
    (FDA) in September 2001 for the treatment of anaemia associated with
    CRF for patients on dialysis and patients not on dialysis. In July
    2002, the FDA approved weekly dosing of Aranesp for the treatment of
    anaemia caused by concomitantly administered chemotherapy in patients
    with non-myeloid malignancies and in March 2006, the FDA approved
    every-three-week dosing in these patients.

    Important EU Aranesp Safety Information

    Aranesp is contraindicated in patients with uncontrolled
    hypertension. Erythropoietic therapies may increase the risk of
    thrombotic and other serious events; regional guidelines should be
    referred to for target and maximum hemoglobin levels, and dose
    adjustment rules should be performed in line with regional prescribing
    information.

    The most commonly reported side effects in clinical trials were
    arthralgia, edema, injection site pain, and thromboembolic event
    reactions. Prescribers are recommended to consult regional prescribing
    information before prescribing Aranesp, including side-effects,
    precautions and contra-indications.

    Important U.S. Aranesp Safety Information

    Use the lowest dose of Aranesp(R) that will gradually increase the
    haemoglobin concentration to the lowest level sufficient to avoid the
    need for red blood cell transfusion.

    Aranesp(R) and other erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs)
    increased the risk for death and for serious cardiovascular events
    when administered to target a haemoglobin of greater than 12 g/dL

    Cancer Patients: Use of ESAs

    -- Shortened the time to tumour progression in patients with
    advanced head and neck cancer receiving radiation therapy when
    administered to target a haemoglobin of greater than 12 g/dL,

    -- Shortened overall survival and increased deaths attributed to
    disease progression at 4 months in patients with metastatic
    breast cancer receiving chemotherapy when administered to
    target a haemoglobin of greater than 12 g/dL,

    -- Increased the risk of death when administered to target a
    haemoglobin of 12 g/dL in patients with active malignant
    disease receiving neither chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
    ESAs are not indicated for this population.

    Patients receiving ESAs pre-operatively for reduction of
    allogeneic red blood cell transfusions: A higher incidence of deep
    venous thrombosis was documented in patients receiving Epoetin alfa
    who were not receiving prophylactic anticoagulation. Aranesp(R) is not
    approved for this indication.

    Aranesp is contraindicated in patients with uncontrolled
    hypertension.

    About Amgen

    Amgen discovers, develops and delivers innovative human
    therapeutics. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen was one of the
    first companies to realize the new science's promise by bringing safe
    and effective medicines from lab, to manufacturing plant, to patient.
    Amgen therapeutics have changed the practice of medicine, helping
    millions of people around the world in the fight against cancer,
    kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other serious illnesses.
    With a deep and broad pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen
    remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve
    people's lives. To learn more about our pioneering science and our
    vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com.

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    (1) Amgen data on file

    (2) De Zeeuw D, Hillege HL, de Jong PE. The Kidney, a cardiovascular
    risk marker, an a new target for therapy. Kidney Int Suppl 2005;
    98: S25-S29.

    (3) Obrador GT, Ruthazer R, Arora P, Kausz AT, Pereira BJ. Prevalence
    of and factors associated with suboptimal care before initiation
    of dialysis in the United States. J Am Soc Nephrol 1999; 10:
    1793-1800.

    (4) Bethseda M. Chapter 3: Patient characteristics. In: USRDS,
    editor. US Renal Data System 2003 Annual Data Report: Atlas of
    End-Stage Renal Disease in the United States, National
    Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and
    Digestive and Kidney Diseases: US Renal Data System, 2003.
    *T